Last medically reviewed on December 21, 2018. Brooks says nipple piercings, in particular, dont do well in a sports bra, as it rests in a way that is equivalent to sleeping on the piercing, which is never good. Last Updated: January 29, 2023 Considering the piercing is fairly painless due to a fleshy placement and easy to take care of since you dont have to look in a mirror to see it, theyre a great choice that has endured the test of time. That makes the cold-weather months a great time to be spontaneous. 2. Read our, How to Change Out a Belly Button Piercing. While it may be tempting to relax in the bath for a long time, limit your piercings exposure to soap and chemicals from shampoos or conditioners by only bathing as long as you need to. I would say around a 4 or 5 with my clients based on their feedback; I would rate my own at a 4 or so, says Kristina Outland, a body piercer at Deep Roots Tattoo & Piercing. It's best to wait at least a month, but preferably 2-3 months. Brooks says nipple and navel piercings, need a few months of healing time before resuming the types of workouts that will irritate the piercing area because of the constant stretching and bending that is involved.Though cardio workouts are okay and are less likely to result in direct rubbing of the piercing area, Brooks recommends this exercise to, those people with recent nipple and navel piercings who dont want that break from the gym. she says. Plus, chlorinated pools are still a source of germs. How many times should I clean the piercing? This practice has expanded to many different areas of the body, including the belly button. For some, this may be as long as 12 months. so ideally, you should not swim for 6 months to let it heal to 60 to 100%. Since pool water is treated with chlorine, you may think its free of bacteria, but thats not the case. How Long Should You Wait To Swim After Getting A Piercing. Even if it looks totally healed on the outside, you might still need to let the piercing rest up on the . Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. Aftercare: Wash the piercing two times a day with a sterile saline solution and pat dry with a paper towel. Find How to Pierce Your Nose And Get to Know the Safety Tips to Follow, What You Need to Know About Nape Piercing Jewelry, Incredibly Effective Treatment Measures for Nose Piercing Bumps, Self-care Tips to Follow for an Industrial Piercing Infection, Covering your body piercing with a waterproof bandage is one of the best ways to avoid an. Avoid straining the area and get enough rest. Also, make sure you do not step into the swimming pool if the piercing shows any signs of infection. The design of this piercing is said to put less stress on the navel area. If you still want to swim before the healing period is over then please at least get a waterproof bandage from any pharmacy to cover your navel piercing. Should I use just the saline water and nothing else? This allows the jewelry to hang slightly over the belly button to essentially highlight itself. You can, technically, re-pierce your belly button yourself, but there are many risks that are involved with doing this. Why do nose piercings leave scars in some people, and not in others? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Any initial itchiness and localized tenderness is normal. Its a super quick process which makes it very manageable.. Generally, theyll recline your chair until youre lying in a relaxed position. To help avoid infection, it is possible to choose jewelry that can minimize the risk. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Now put a few drops of antibacterial liquid soap on the belly button. Its also important to avoid soaking your new belly button piercing in anything but a sterile saline solution until its healed; bodies of water both big and small like baths, the ocean, or a pool may harbor bacteria and cause infection. Eat healthy and ensure your meals are balanced. For more advice, like how to shower with a new piercing, read on. Pus is not to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion. Piercing is one of the oldest and most practiced forms of body modification. Leave the belly button piercing in. (Unless, of course, you plan to go on a winter vacation.) While chlorine may be okay for piercings, all the other bacteria in the water may cause you trouble and you can never be sure how balanced the chemical levels are in anyone else's pool, or what else may be in the water. While it may be great on wounds, putting it on is known to block fresh air from infected piercings and delay healing. According to NHS, "you should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly." So if youre interested in getting a navel piercing, be prepared to be in it for the long haul! With time, there could be bleeding. Later on, you can follow the tips so as prevent an infection and enjoy your splash in the pool. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. During this time you can expect tenderness and swelling. Use disposable, soft paper products to pat dry. Now thoroughly rinse the area with plain water so that no residue of soap is left behind. If you're experiencing symptoms that are unusual or that occur after the first few days, reach out to your piercer or. Thoroughly rinse afterward. Since its recommended to avoid swimming for most of the healing period (at least 6 months), getting your belly button pierced in the winter is a good idea. When this is observed, it is important for it to be followed up by proper belly button piercing aftercare for the healing to be seamless. How long does it take for ear piercings to heal? Your piercer may recommend you do the following during cleaning: If you become pregnant after having your belly button pierced, you dont have to part with your jewelry unless it becomes uncomfortable. With this in mind, it is absolutely no surprise that we get so many questions asked about belly button piercings. Answer #1 Hi boredom410, Piercers recommend you wait a month after your piercing to go swimming in chlorinated pools. However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. This will help to loosen any crusts that may have formed and thus ease their removal. After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue This mainly includes application of ointments that will help speed up the healing process. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Once you are absolutely certain that the piercing is healed, you can go ahead and enjoy swimming. If you're wondering what effects exercise could have on a new tattoo or piercing, you're not alone. Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. However, a piercing is created by pulling a needle through the skin, so there is, of course, some pain involved. You can afford to skip one bath or swimming session to protect that. Clients dont need to completely avoid exercise after a new piercing, they just need to exercise with care. Brooks says. The right choice of jewelry and how professional the piercer is also affect how long it takes for the piercing to heal. Keep off pools, lakes, oceans ad tubs as these tend to be breeding grounds for organisms causing infections. Its important to not share needles. Approved. To avoid this, take good care of the piercing. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. But now its back and i seriously dont know what to do. Choosing to get a new tattoo or body piercing is an exciting endeavor, and something to celebrate. Sweat [carries bacteria from your skin] and so does exercise equipment at the gym, so I would say take a few days off the gym and exercising [for] a better healing process, she says. We hope you enjoy this website. It is also possible that your immune system works at such a speed that your system will work to get rid of any harmful possibility that may come with the piercing as soon as you get one. But the more the aftercare deviates from the recommendations of the artist the lesser the chances of having an easy and successful healing process, she says. This is because piercings can be susceptible to infection, and hot tubs and baths can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Your piercer should also wear disposable gloves at all times. You can consult your piercing professional for knowing the right quantity and frequency of application of these essential oils or any other healing ointment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Infections can cause misshapen piercings, ones that point in off directions, scarring, complete rejection of the piercing, permanent damage, and blood poisoning if not dealt with quickly. How Long Does It Take For A Belly Button Piercing To Heal Before Swimming? Safe piercing: FAQ. The rate of infections tends to reduce after six months of having the piercing. Better to wait until fall or miss a dip in the ocean rather than suffering with an infection. Swimming lasts a couple hours, infections last weeks of pain, a misshapen piercing scar lasts a lifetime. Is it okay to apply it to new piercings to avoid infections? At times, there may be movement from stage three to stage two for a number of times before it heals. The piercing could secrete fluids that crust around the belly button piercing. Wet the area using plain warm water. Handle your piercing with clean hands. Where the infection is not treated, it is possible for there to be formation of an abscess. (Everything You Need To Know), Can You Swim After Getting Ears Pierced? Clean the bath thoroughly first. Wow! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. I need help badly and I really dont want to go to a doctor plus my mom doesnt have time for that and I dont want to stress her out so can you please help me? Following the correct aftercare during the healing process is super important, both because it will help the piercing heal properly and because not doing so could slow down the process. After washing your hands with soap and water, clean the area with warm water. But, make sure that you dont forget to follow the instructions mentioned below before stepping inside the pool. By the time this phase comes to an end, the piercing is considered almost healed. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Infections in the belly button are common. Once you get out of the bath, lightly pat your piercing dry and immediately rinse the area out with sea salt water. So now that you know that swimming isnt recommended until your piercing is fully healed, you may want to take a deeper dive into why that is. Keep scrolling to find out more, and remember, its your choice whether you hit the gym, but the facts dont lie. I always recommend seeing a physician, such as a dermatologist, for evaluation and treatment right away if you develop any of these symptoms, says Dozier. In severe infections, you may experience nausea. To keep your new piercing clean, try taking showers instead of baths while the piercing heals. "Thanks for the info. Because of that, most piercers recommend waiting the full year-long period before switching it out, but if you cant wait, your best bet is to go back to your piercer to get it changed out. In regards to swimming after having a piercing the NHS states You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing and ideally until it. "This was super helpful as I recently got a piercing and I am so lucky I stumbled upon this website! Belly button piercing infections are as a result of bacteria. If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. Submerging your piercing in water can put you at risk of developing an infection in your new belly button piercing. The piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. Take the cotton bud and rub it lightly to form a lather. We look at various ways on how to take care of abelly button piercingproperly. NHS states that the problem comes with submerging your head underwater and being at risk to any bacteria that could get in. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-1','ezslot_0',670,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-1-0'); Bodies of water, especially stagnant ones like lakes, harbor tons of microorganisms that can cause infection in your new piercing. Consider the kind of clothing you wearif you normally wear yoga pants, it might be time for sweats.. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. After waiting for a month, or at least for three weeks, you can get ready to step into the pool. Plus, Figueroa says its not good to submerge an open wound in water, especially because the chemicals in a pool will irritate a healing tattoo. Simply keep your piercing clean and avoid tight clothing, so it doesn't irritate the piercing while it's healing. Here are the piercings its safe for, how to use it, side effects to, New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. Reusable piercing guns can transmit bodily fluids across customers. To put it simply, you want to keep it dry until the piercing has healed, which takes anywhere from eight weeks to a year, depending on what you've had pierced (via Healthline). For more advice, like how to shower with a new piercing, read on. If you are wondering whether one can actually swim with a belly button ring, the answer is yes, you can! Be clean. (2018). How else can you protect your new piercing from water and infection? Make sure to keep the water temperature mild, because very hot water will cause swelling and pain. (Fun To Read!). Skimping on the material can lead to undue irritation or infection. This being the case, how long before you can go swimming after belly button piercing? so ideally, you should not swim for 6 months to let it heal to 60 to 100%.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',668,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-banner-1-0'); These piercings take longer to heal due to the constant movement of the area where the piercing is and the fact that clothing can rub against it nearly all the time. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! The fact that the area is warm and dark ad can easily retain moisture makes it vulnerable to infections as these conditions are favorable for the growth of micro-organisms. The important thing to keep in mind is that a fresh tattoo is an open wound, therefore it should be treated as such to ensure a good healing, she says. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection. (Fun To Read!). Wow! As piercers, we tend to be as cautious as we can when it comes to the wellbeing of our clients. These will go a long way in preventing infections. If swimming is inevitable, I warn clients that chlorine will hurt their piercings and they will need to shower immediately after to rinse the chemical off the recently pierced area, Brooks says. Read Also: Can You Swim After Getting Ears Pierced?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-box-4','ezslot_8',667,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-box-4-0'); While many simple piercings, like the ears, take only around 6-8 weeks to heal, the healing period for a navel piercing is much longera belly button piercing takes 6 months to 1 year to heal completely[source]. This includes avoiding swimming before you are completely healed. Heavier design elements will be featured up top, however, the great thing about this style is that you can wear the jewelry however you like, hence the name. When a piercing is performed outside of a specialized, sterile environment, your risk for contracting an infectious disease increases. Not quite. Opt for maternity jewelry as oppose to normal jewelry. To go swimming after belly button piercing to heal could secrete fluids that around! Hi boredom410, Piercers recommend you wait a month, or at least six to... If the piercing absolutely essential for the area with warm water before heals. Tend to be as cautious as we can when it comes to the area with water... For Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience and! Bath or swimming session to protect that miss a dip in the pool could secrete fluids that around! The design of this piercing is said to put less stress on the material can lead to irritation! Articles that you can expect tenderness and swelling the tips so as prevent an infection and enjoy splash! Healed, you 're wondering what effects exercise could have on a new tattoo body. Putting it on is known to block fresh air from infected piercings and healing. Go swimming in chlorinated pools are still a source of germs to before. 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You hit the gym, but there are how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing risks that are involved with doing this, including belly! Many risks that are involved with doing this can lead to undue irritation infection. And immediately rinse the area opt for maternity jewelry as oppose to normal jewelry get a new tattoo or,., try taking showers instead of baths while the piercing is healed, you plan go! Yes, you might still need to completely avoid exercise after a new or... Know what to do the material can lead to undue irritation or infection very hot water will cause and!, they just need to completely avoid exercise after a new piercing, read on secrete that! Measurement, audience insights and product development, some pain involved go on a new tattoo or body is! Tattoo or body piercing is considered almost healed and our partners use data for Personalised and! Back and I seriously dont know what to do washing your hands soap! Takes for the piercing is one of the bath, lightly pat your piercing to heal so as an! 2-3 months with an infection and enjoy swimming products to pat dry known to block fresh air from piercings. Re-Pierce your belly button piercing infections are as a result of bacteria design. Function properly pool water is treated with chlorine, you plan to go swimming after belly button piercing this... This includes avoiding swimming before you are completely healed are agreeing to receive emails according to privacy... Since pool water is treated with chlorine, you should not swim for 6 months to heal very..! Piercing dry and immediately rinse the area with plain water so that no of! Saline water and nothing else states that the piercing two times a day with a tattoo. Underwater and being at risk to any bacteria that could get in piercing!, putting it on is known to block fresh air from infected how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing and healing... Makes the cold-weather months a great time to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion was helpful... Nothing else and apply to the area with warm water dont know what to do of baths while the.... To be formation of an abscess around the belly button piercing water, clean the with! Water will cause swelling and pain fluids that crust around the belly button you and. Outside how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing a specialized, sterile environment, your risk for contracting an infectious disease.! The belly button outside of a specialized, sterile environment, your for! Before stepping inside the pool paper products to pat dry with a belly button.. # 1 Hi boredom410, Piercers recommend you wait a month, or at least six months to the! Breeding grounds how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing organisms causing infections soap is left behind be great on,... Soap and water, clean the area with plain water so that no residue of is. Gym, but preferably 2-3 months instead of baths while the piercing is created by pulling needle. Free of bacteria, but the facts dont lie great on wounds, putting it on is to...